Who were the Old Testament Philistines?
The Philistines were a people of Aegean origin who settled on the southern coast of Palestine about the same time as did the Israelites. According to biblical tradition (Deuteronomy 2:23, Jeremiah 47:4), the Philistines came from Caphtor (possibly Crete, although there is no archaeological evidence of Philistine life there). The first records of the Philistines [...]
What is stopping GOD from revealing Himself?
God has already revealed Himself in His word, the Bible. The question may be revised to say, “why has not God revealed Himself to me the way I want Him to reveal himself?” God’s methods and plans are far beyond our human capabilities. He says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so [...]
Who spoke to Job, Moses and Abraham directly? Was it God Himself?
In general, God used messengers to speak to humans. Examples would be when Gabriel spoke to Mary, “During Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin” (Luke 1:26, 27), and also spoke to Zacharias, “While he was in the temple of the Lord, Zacharias was [...]
Today, some say that they have seen Jesus. Is this true?
The true student of the Bible is careful. The Bible warns us not to expect to see Jesus in Matthew 24 in verses: 3 …Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (or “end of the age”) 5 For many [...]
What can the story of prodigal son teach us?
Some of Jesus’ followers were tax collectors and gross sinners. (Luke 15:1) The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were disturbed that Jesus welcomed this fallen class and even ate with them. They believed the “sinners” were living outside of a relationship with God. These might even be considered lost beyond recovery. To refute the [...]
What does obey mean?
To obey means to hear God's Word and act accordingly. In the Old Testament, the word “obey” is the Hebrew word “shama,” Stong’s word H8085. It means “to hear” and is often so translated. There are several different Greek words in the New Testament which describe obedience. Most often the Greek word “hupakouó,” Strong’s G5219, [...]